The planning application for 55 houses on land North of Sherfield Road was debated at the Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council Development Control Committee meeting on 10th January 2018. The good news is that, despite the BDBC officers recommending it for approval, the Committee refused the application, after continued representation against it from the Parish Council and support from our Borough Ward Councillors.

Reasons for refusal were the increase in number of dwellings over and above the limit set in the Neighbourhood Plan, the cumulative effect on sewerage in the parish, and the cumulative effect on traffic in the parish.

The original outline planning permission for 50 houses on the site still remains as drafted before the Local Plan and Neighbourhood Plan were adopted. The Neighbourhood Plan is playing its part in planning decisions, showing clearly the wishes of the community not to have more than 50 houses on a site bordering the settlement boundary.

Residents should be aware that it is likely that the developers will appeal this planning decision. The Parish Council will continue to do everything in its power to ensure that the principles outlined in the Neighbourhood Plan are upheld at every level of the planning process.